Ancient trading post uncovered
Stone structure and artefacts highlight island’s standing as Bronze Age trade hub
Inside the building in Sir Bani Yas were found fragments of jars believed to have been made in Bahrain around 4,000 years ago and belonging to a time when the UAE was engaged in maritime trade |
Archaeologists at a site on Sir Bani Yas Island have uncovered what they call “stunning evidence” supporting the discovery of an estimated 4,000-year-old trading post, said the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) yesterday.
The authority said the dig focused on a stone-constructed building at a location on the island’s southwest coast.
Inside the building were found fragments of a number of large jars believed to have been made in Bahrain around 4,000 years ago and belonging to a time when the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, and south Asia were engaged in intensive maritime trade, with the jars transported through the Arabian Gulf by ships.
Key find
One of the most remarkable finds was a stamp seal, probably made from steatite, said the authority.
Said to be an example of a famous ‘Dilmun Stamp Seal’, Dilmun being the ancient name for Bahrain and adjoining regions, merchants used such stamps to authorise shipments of goods around the Arabian Gulf.
A few examples of such seals have been found before in the UAE, but this is the first Dilmun stamp seal to be discovered in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, the authority said.
The seal appears to show an animal and a human figure under the moon. The meaning of the seal is still a mystery but Al Kaabi and TCA Abu Dhabi colleague Ali Abdul Rahman Al Meqbali are researching it and comparing it to the other seals that have been found in the Arabian Gulf.
TCA archaeologist Abdullah Khalfan Al Kaabi said the “moment when we discovered the Dilmun stamp seal was very special. We immediately realised the important implications of this find. Holding this in our hands for the first time since a Bronze Age merchant had used it almost 4,000 years ago was a magical moment.”
Bronze tools found
TCA Abu Dhabi archaeologist Ali Abdul Rahman Al Meqbali said: “I am proud to be involved in researching the prehistory of Abu Dhabi emirate. Our recent excavation on Sir Bani Yas island has rewritten our knowledge of contacts with the Bronze Age civilisations of the Arabian Gulf and beyond.”
Although fragments of such pottery have been found before in the UAE, this is the first time that several complete examples have been discovered. Analysis of the artefacts is just beginning, but preliminary results indicate that pottery from Pakistan was also found. Bronze tools are also among the finds, attesting to the important role that the UAE played in the export of copper to its Bronze Age neighbours. Along with the bronze tools is a wellpreserved fish hook.
Together, the artefacts and the building indicate that Sir Bani Yas held an important position in Bronze Age maritime trade. This trade is well-documented from both ancient texts and archaeology and involved the exchange of copper from the Al Hajar mountains of the UAE and Oman, semi-precious materials from south Asia, and goods from Bahrain and Iraq. The trade relied upon ports and staging posts in which boats could stop, exchange goods, and replenish supplies.
The finds from the excavation came from just one building and surface remains indicate that several other buildings may be located at the same site.
The Bronze Age site will now also feature as an important part of a heritage tourism trail planned for the island.